To
be involved with Student Missions providing care for the sick, words of wisdom
and a promise of a better future to the weary, an education to the pupil, and a
listening ear to those who find comfort and self-worth in the midst of a hard
lived life, is to be a disciple of Christ’s character to the people of Malawi.
Looking past the little prosperity that exists most notably in the form of
brand new stylish black tinted Mercedes-Benz sedans or Limited Edition Land
Rovers with rich creamy caramel leather interiors, exists an over-abundance of
sickness, starvation, and deprivation that remains a reoccurring theme in the
heart of Africa, Malawi.
In
a society that has demanded allegiance to customs and commitment to traditions,
rests an unwavering influential movement to undermine poverty at it’s worst and
starvation at it’s core via the creation of a theoretical economy founded on
the premise of ‘hope for a better life’. Although both parties share the mutual
goal of having a better life, differences in beliefs and approaches to
accomplish the task have caused escalating issues in society. The tension
created between two non-agreeing parties has led to the development of what
seems to be an air pocketed economy. An economy that stands erect like a sound
building, appearing to be rock-solid and unyielding, paving the way in
healthcare, possessing agricultural developments that are leading to
nutritional improvements, and utilizing government regulated and supported
programs, but this has not been the case. In all actuality, the economy through
the eyes of a college student lies cracked and fractured, mangled by the roots
of it’s problems and plagued by the existence of numerous notable air pockets.
These air pockets, better understood as the inability to establish a well
working civilized system of industry and commerce, unintentionally crafted by
the opposing parties with a desire to preserve habitual customs important to
society and the motivated entrepreneur with eyes of a capitalist. Air pockets
have created a frail infrastructure only to be evaluated and deemed unsafe by
any small or large market businessman that chooses to risk what he has in hopes
of achieving ‘a better life’. The charm of modern technology and fascination
for a higher standard of living have clashed with existing societal customs to
produce internationally recognized issues among many African countries,
especially in Malawi.
A
society cannot function healthfully when there is no foundation to support the
entire general public. The infiltration of many vehicles over the past five
years has caused the higher-class citizen to reap the benefits of faster and
safer transportation while the majority of lower class citizens remain in
despair.
It
is through the work of many humanitarian agencies and non-profit organizations
that we find the purpose to continue to fight for ‘a better life’ for the
people of Malawi and beyond. It is here that the meticulous and steadfast work
of the Seventh day Adventist Church for over a hundred and forty years includes
me, as my story of being grateful for our church leaders and the work they have
accomplished has given me a sense of genuine and humble dignity begins.
Not
too long ago Trent and I were making our way back home after a long but
rewarding day in the classroom. As we left the compound of Blantyre Adventist
Hospital, we began walking along the concrete parking lot parallel with the
street, ready to cross, when we were stopped by a young woman in a red Land
Cruiser. The young woman whom I’ll call Jen for privacy reasons shielded her
eyes with her sunglasses and wore her long beautiful brunette hair in a classic
looking ponytail. The few hairs that had managed to escape the grip of her
ponytail wrapped around her slightly freckled forehead in a way that conveyed unhappiness
with life as it stood. After graciously offering to give us a ride to our
destination through the driver’s side window she pulled over into the parking
lot for what seemed like a heightened interest in us. It was not until after
Jen stopped the vehicle that I realized that she spoke with a distant but
familiar accent. Jen was American and for one of the first times in over a
month, both Trent and I understood her sentences the first time they were
said.
We
began conversing like most Americans would on our purpose for being in Malawi,
of all places. Jen was here with a humanitarian food aid project based out of
St. Louis Missouri, distributing highly nutritional bags of food to underprivileged children in rural villages across southern Malawi. I could sense a
genuine interest for others as I listened to her explain her work. We dove
deeper into our first conversation and it didn’t take long to discover that she
was a recent graduate from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Just
across town from Walla Walla University, the Whitman campus joins forces with
WWU in several academic and volunteer events each year including Service Day
projects and musical performances. There exists a shared general interest in
each other’s campus, perhaps more so for WWU students who like to use their
facilities to study in during dead week before finals. Because all three of us
attended college in beautiful Walla Walla, it gave us something in common that
allowed our friendship to grow.
That
was a day to remember because a new friendship spontaneously but purposely
commenced. After we met, Trent and I spent much time exercising, eating out,
watching movies, and exchanging embarrassing stories. It was as if Jen was the
missing link to our fulfillment of fun that heightened the reward currently
being experienced. After all, there is a reason why God destined us to
associate with the opposite sex.
One
afternoon after a run, we decided that the best thing to do was take a trip to
the pool to cool down. Walking from our home to the pool, I began introducing
her to the Adventist establishment there on Kabula Hill. Still slightly
concerned about what she thought of Adventists, I decided against opting out of
having the rare but special opportunity to show her 'our world'. Starting with
the Adventist Health office that was next door, I proceeded to show her the
Malawi Union President’s home, the cardiologist’s home, the O.B. Gynecologist’s
home, the pediatrician’s home, and Marantha’s One Day Church project workshop
with several large trucks and shipping crates sitting out front. As I told her
the little knowledge that I knew about each one, I began to notice an
impressed facial expression sculpt the thoughts she was pondering. She had no
idea how extensive our church was right here on Kabula Hill, despite being a
close neighbor to it all. She asked questions showing a deepened interest
and greater appreciation for it all as we pressed on.
Continuing across the street we entered the main gate of Blantyre Adventist
Hospital (B.A.H.) making our way past the emergency entrance as we walked down
the parking lot. My tour subsequently took us past the school, the fellowship
room for the church, the church itself, the Adventist Lodge and Restaurant, the
Union Headquarters, the Adventist Book Center, and finally the Dental office.
It was truly a reward to make known our present establishment on just one small
hill, in one small city, in one small country, of many others that exist in
Africa and around the world as well. It made me feel honored to be apart of
something incredibly influential in the lives of people and a necessary
instrument in the ongoing work still left to accomplish.
The
church is hard at work in Blantyre, making a difference through the work of its
members in the lives of those who still don’t know Him. Providing health care,
church buildings, literature, education, and the free gift in the promise of a
soon return, God has empowered his willing people wonderfully. A perpetual
hurricane of love and service is stirring up commotion amongst the people and
gaining strength across the desolate soil of Malawi, knocking down the air
pocketed walls of the existing handicapped economy.
The
presence of God and His word have created a new kind of economy-one that offers
a gift of eternal life and successfully meets the demands of both the
traditionalist and capitalist’s wishes. The lord’s economy excludes any need
for a hierarchal system based on wealth and provides sufficient equality among
the people allowing everyone the ‘hope for a better life’.
Needless to say, Jen’s
introduction to our church sparked a small glow in her own life. She continues
to ask us questions about our belief system and I have noticed a change in what
she thinks of the church and us. It has made being myself easier around her and
allowed us to fabricate the ongoing relationship that I believe began because
of our great God’s leading intervention.
